Arena Central

Birmingham

Gross development value:

£530m

Development activity:

1m sq. ft.

Under construction:

450,000 sq. ft. (net)

Breaking new ground in Birmingham

Located in the very heart of Birmingham City Centre, the 9.2 acre Arena Central site sits opposite Centenary Square at the intersection of Broad Street and Queensway. Miller acquired the site in 2001 when it comprised a range of mixed-use buildings including offices, a hotel, a car park and the former Carlton TV Studios.

After initial planning was approved for 2.3m sq.ft. of development, Miller successfully formed a joint venture with Bridge Properties (who controlled further surrounding property interests) to facilitate a comprehensive re-development of the site. Following disposal of Alpha Tower (200,000 sq.ft. offices), a residential plot to Dandara, and land for a new Holiday Inn Express, Make Architects were commissioned to re-work the site’s masterplan.

With a great location in a dynamic city and a developer that has a strong track record of delivering high quality buildings, Arena Central was our number one choice for our new head office.

Nigel Hinshelwood

Head of UK and Deputy CEO HSBC Bank plc.

A new home for big business

Soon after planning was approved for the first new office building (circa 142,000 sq.ft.), a deal was secured with HSBC plc over one of the principal buildings on the Broad Street frontage. It was to become the bank’s new UK headquarters for their ring-fenced operations. This became one of the most highly-publicised moves out of London by a major occupier, and underpins the importance of the Arena Central site. Construction of the new 210,000 sq.ft. (net) headquarters began in 2015 with completion due Spring 2018 following the addition of the bank’s fitting outworks to the building contract. The new Holiday Inn Express completed in 2017, and Dandara’s 322 apartment scheme is due for release in Spring/Summer 2019.

In December 2016, Arena Central was selected by the UK Government as its preferred location for Phase 1 of its Birmingham Hub (potentially up to 1m sq.ft.). The legals for a 25 year lease and forward funding agreement were exchanged with the Government and Legal & General respectively in September 2017, and demolition works have been completed. Once again the building contract is with Galliford Try and Practical Completion is due in February 2020.

Building a bright future

The Broad Street buildings have now been renamed “Centenary Square” with HSBC UK occupying 1 Centenary Square. 3 Centenary Square has been acquired by the University of Birmingham for a new city centre presence.

Going forward, there are up to another three buildings to be undertaken by the joint venture – 5 Centenary Square (145,000 sq.ft.), 4 Arena Central (190,000 sq.ft.), and 5 Arena Central (190,000 sq.ft.) – all with associated car parking. In the interim, a significant portion of the public realm landscaping is being completed to ensure appropriate place-making for all current and future buildings.